>>Regents Approve Resolution Affirming U of M Physicians Cannot Negotiate Deals
(Minneapolis, MN) — A resolution approved by the Board of Regents affirms University of Minnesota Physicians do not have the authority to negotiate agreements without approval. A special meeting was held Thursday after the U of M’s physician group struck a ten-year deal with Fairview Health Services while excluding the school from negotiations. Regents say it would have a profoundly negative impact on the U of M Medical School and Minnesota. The resolution says U-M-P leadership violated their obligations and exceeded their authority.
>>Minnesota Property Owners Brace for Upcoming Tax Increases
(St. Paul, MN) — Get ready for higher property taxes next year. The Minnesota Department of Revenue says preliminary numbers show a statewide increase of up to 6.9% for 2026. Here’s the breakdown: Cities could see around an 8.7% increase, counties8.1%, townships 5.6%, schools 5.8%, and special districts 4.6%. Last year, the final increase came in lower than early estimates at about 5.6%. These preliminary figures are what counties use to calculate those Truth-in-Taxation notices you’ll get this month.
>>Representative Keeler Challenging 7th District Congresswoman Fischbach
(Moorhead, MN) — State Representative Heather Keeler of Moorhead plans to challenge 7th District Republican Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach next year. Keeler says the lack of access to affordable health care in rural Minnesota is one of the issues that brought her into the race. Keeler says the 7th District has the most hospitals of any district in the country. She was elected to the Minnesota House in 2020. Keeler and Erik Osberg of Wadena are seeking the Democratic nomination in 2026.
>>Former Majority Leader Winkler Running for Minnesota House Again
(Golden Valley, MN) — Former Minnesota House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler wants to return to the state legislature. The Democrat from Golden Valley is running for the House District 43-B seat held by Representative Mike Freiberg, who is running for Minnesota Senate. Winkler served as House majority leader from 2019 through 2022 and made an unsuccessful run for Hennepin County attorney in November 2022. He was elected to the House in 2006 and served two terms before moving overseas in 2015. Winkler led the push for recreational marijuana and hemp-based T-H-C products in the state.
>>Suspect Dead After Police Pursuit and Shooting in Bagley
(Bagley, MN) — A man is dead after a police chase and shooting Thursday afternoon in Bagley. The Clearwater County Sheriff’s Office says a deputy saw a man at a gas station who had a felony warrant for his arrest. A scuffle took place and the suspect fled east on U-S Highway 2 with other deputies and Bagley police in pursuit. He drove through two yards before law enforcement was able to stop the car. Investigators say the man fired a flare-type projectile at the officers and a deputy returned fire, killing the suspect. One deputy suffered a minor injury.
>>State Patrol: Alcohol Not a Factor in Fatal Off-Duty Officer Crash
(St. Cloud, MN) — The Minnesota State Patrol is walking back its initial claim that alcohol played a role in a crash that killed an off-duty St. Cloud police officer. Forty-four-year-old Officer Ryan Ebert of Big Lake died October 18th, five days after his pickup slammed into a Minnesota Valley Transit bus on Highway 77 in Apple Valley. Early reports suggested alcohol was a factor, but hospital toxicology showed only a trace amount, far below the legal limit.
>>Activists Demand Stronger Sanctuary Safeguards in Minneapolis Police Contract
(Minneapolis, MN) — Immigrant rights advocates and several Minneapolis City Council members will hold a press conference before today’s (Fri12 pm) contract talks, demanding tougher sanctuary protections in the city’s next police agreement. The Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee says the deal must include penalties for officers who cooperate with federal immigration enforcement, citing a June raid where M-P-D assisted ICE agents. Organizers say their “Real Sanctuary Now” campaign calls for bans on collusion and crowd control support for federal agencies, plus disciplinary and civil consequences for violations.
>>Golden Gophers are Heavy Underdogs at #6 Oregon Friday Night
(Eugene, OR) — The University of Minnesota football team is a heavy underdog against sixth-ranked Oregon tonight (Fri 8pm) in Eugene. Gopher defensive end Anthony Smith says they must execute every play to have a chance to pull off an upset. Minnesota topped Michigan State in overtime November 1st and had a bye last weekend. Oregon escaped Iowa City with an 18-16 win on Saturday. The Gophers are 6-and-3 overall and 4-and-2 in conference play. The Ducks are 8-and-1 and 5-and-1 in the Big Ten. Minnesota won the last meeting in the 2003 Sun Bowl.
